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11/11/2020 11:00 PMKathryn Amatruda was like most high school students at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kathryn is a member of the field hockey and girls’ lacrosse team at Guilford High School, but had no idea if she would be able to play the two sports that she loves as a senior.
After the lacrosse season was canceled during the spring, Kathryn was elated when she found out that field hockey was on for this fall. Kathryn feels thankful for every game that she’s had the opportunity to play during her senior year.
“My favorite moment from this season was hearing the news that we would be able to compete this year,” Kathryn says. “In light of the pandemic, this season has been very unpredictable. Given that this is my senior year, I am very grateful to be able to practice and compete with teammates who I have developed such a strong bond with over these past few years. It definitely helps to make the best out of an unfortunate situation.”
Kathryn’s love for field hockey started to flourish after she signed up to play the sport in 7th grade. Kathryn enjoyed the quick pace of the game, as well as the connections that she formed with her teammates both on and off the field.
“My favorite aspect of the sport is the camaraderie we have as a team,” says Kathryn. “I enjoy how well we’re able to work together and win.”
Guilford field hockey Head Coach Kitty Palmer describes Kathryn as an athlete who gives her best effort all the time. Kathryn has displayed her leadership skills by attending each and every one of Guilford’s practices throughout the past four years.
“Kathryn is all heart and effort with every play. She works hard every day at practice to improve her skills,” Palmer says. “Kathryn asks questions, listens, and gives 100 percent. She loves the team, and we all love her. I am so glad to have had her in the program for four years. She’s a great role model and friend, and we will all really miss her.”
One year after Guilford achieved an undefeated season, Kathryn is helping her club put together another excellent campaign in 2020. Guilford has an overall record of 11-1-0-1 and recently earned a 7-0 win versus Lyman Hall in the quarterfinals of the SCC Division A Tournament. Kathryn, a forward, scored her first career varsity goal in that game.
“This season I’ve struggled with a mental block that impacted my ability to get my shots off quickly and successfully,” says Kathryn. “To score in the first round of the SCC playoffs in my last season made the goal that much more meaningful to me.”
It means the world to Kathryn that she recorded her first varsity score in a postseason contest. Kathryn knows that she never could have made it this far as a field hockey player without the unwavering support of Coach Palmer.
“My relationship with Kitty is very special. She inspires me to push myself to become the best player and version of myself each day,” Kathryn says. “Kitty not only coaches the basics of field hockey, she also stresses the importance of good communication with team-building activities. Kitty fosters a true sense of team and focuses on inclusiveness. Whether you are a freshman, JV, or varsity player, we have always been taught that we are one team. This inclusiveness encourages all of us to mentor each other, which is a life skill that will stay with me moving forward.”
Aside from playing field hockey, Kathryn is also a competitive sailor who has participated in races both locally and out of state. In terms of her field hockey career, Kathryn wants Guilford to finish its season strong by taking home another SCC title.
“My expectations for the rest of the season are high. With the way we’ve been coming together as a team and learning to communicate with each other both on and off the field, we have a good shot at becoming SCC champions again this year,” says Kathryn. “We have definitely proven ourselves this season, despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic.”